IDF intensifies destruction of Hamas tunnel network in Gaza

Middle East

JERUSALEM, Israel (NPA) — The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) says it is intensifying operations against Hamas underground infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, in its efforts to disarm the Iranian-backed armed group.

In a statement, the IDF disclosed that troops dismantled four underground tunnel routes with a combined length of about four kilometres in southern Gaza, east of the Yellow Line.

According to the Israeli military, one of the tunnels formed part of a network allegedly used to hold hostages. The IDF added that living quarters linked to senior commanders of Hamas’ Khan Yunis Brigade were also discovered within the tunnel complex.

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The military further stated that forces destroyed two additional underground tunnel routes, stretching about two kilometres, east of the Yellow Line in central Gaza. Several hideouts and weapons caches were reportedly uncovered inside the tunnels.

The IDF said troops conducting searches in the area also recovered dozens of rockets and explosive devices.

Earlier on May 9, the Israeli military announced that it had located and dismantled a weapons production site and storage facility allegedly operated by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in northern Gaza.

According to the IDF, the site was used for the production of explosive devices and the storage of weapons allegedly intended for attacks against Israeli civilians and troops.

The military also disclosed that on May 8, troops dismantled eight underground tunnel routes used by Hamas, with a combined length of more than 2.5 kilometres.

One of the tunnels, according to the IDF, was part of an underground network in eastern Rafah where Hamas fighters had allegedly been operating. The military said the fighters were killed during an engineering operation carried out inside the tunnel.

The extensive network of tunnels across Gaza has remained a major feature of the conflict, underscoring the scale of Hamas’ underground infrastructure and the group’s preparations for a prolonged confrontation with Israel.

Israel and Hamas previously agreed to a ceasefire arrangement that included the establishment of the Yellow Line, an area currently controlled by Israeli forces within parts of the Gaza Strip.